1. As a matter of policy , any blood meant for transfusion must be tested for HIV. For this purpose , the peripheral hospitals be supplied with rapid test kits .
2. Once a blood donor reports to the hospital for donating blood, the blood is taken and a sample is put up for test with the rapid test kit, the result of which is available in 30 to 40 minutes . If the test is negative , the blood is considered free of HIV infection.
3. If the blood is found HIV positive,at this stage the following two point also need to be noted .
(a) Under no circumstances should the diagnosis of ‘HIV infection’ or ‘AIDS’ be given at this stage. The diagnosis can be kept as ‘For investigation of Immuni – surveillance’.
(b) Only one test is done on the donated blood .Efforts to do another test on the positive sample should not be made , as it will only lead to unnecessary consumption of rapid kits. It may be noted that under the guidelines of the agency supplying the rapid kits (i.e. NACO), only one test is to be done on donated blood . If the test is positive , the individual should be admitted to the nearest hospital , from where he will be transferred to the concerned ‘treatment cum referral center ‘ for confirmation of diagnosis , management and disposal.
